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Islanders on social media have been baffled by the discovery of a curious message etched into a field in St. John bearing only one word... Nigel.
Since the beginning of civilisation, mankind has etched hidden messages and codes into the Earth, meant only for the eyes of the Gods.
Famously, in 500 BC, the people of the Nazca desert in Peru carved hundreds of colossal shapes into the Earth.
Elaborately devised depictions of animals, plants and symbols, only truly perceptible from the heavens, were hidden from mankind for millennia.
Pictured: The Nazca Lines, Peru.
Now, with the power of satellite imagery and Google Earth, anyone can look down upon the Earth and assume the perspective that was once the exclusive privilege of Zeus from his throne on Olympus.
And now, with our eyes finally open, an equally great discovery has been made in a field in St. John...
Once unearthed, social media immediately came alive with wild speculations and calls for answers.
Who is Nigel? And just what is he trying to tell us?
On Facebook, a veritable witch hunt began, with islanders immediately accusing any Nigel they could think of - even ex-Formula One driver Nigel Mansell received a number of accusations.
Some assumed, not unreasonably, that this must have had something to do with 70s rock group XTC, and their one-hit-wonder breakthrough track, 'Making plans for Nigel'.
Others were merely appalled by the state of Nigel's handwriting.
Not to be deterred by the immensity of the mystery, Express tracked down the one man who seemed to have the answers....
Sean Lamy, a friend of the elusive Nigel, confirmed that the Nigel in question was Nigel Pearce, who helps to run the L'Auberge Du Nord pub in St. John, where the mysterious symbol was located.
The field comes at part of the pub's lease, and is often used as an overflow carpark, he explained.
As to why Nigel decided to literally leave his mark, Sean gave a curiously cryptic answer: "I can see the benefits of doing it. There’s no doubt over whose field it is, if you happen to fly over you know straight away it’s Nigel’s.
"Also I guess if he doesn’t show up for work one day or sneaked off for a snooze for half hour you can always say, 'He’s in the field,' if anyone asks where he is."
He added: "It may also be a way of communicating with other Nigels too - they’re a tight bunch and seem to stick together."
After several attempts to trackdown 'the' Nigel, Express finally reached Mr Pearce, who is away on holiday, to ask if it was true that it was his his handiwork.
"Yes, I am that Nigel," he replied on the phone.
Pictured: The culprit, Nigel Pearce, in front of the scene of the crime.
But why had he done it? What was Nigel trying to tell the world?
"When I was mowing the pathway, I noticed the amount of planes we get over, the amount of paragliding as well... You know what I'm saying?" Nigel said.
"Just thought it would be funny."
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